Churchill Downs touts early success of Terre Haute Casino
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It’s been less than one month since the Terre Haute Casino Resort opened its doors to the public, and its parent company says the numbers have been strong.
During the company’s quarterly earnings call with investors last week, Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen said the casino saw more than 12,000 people on its opening day April 5.
“As a point of reference for how strong the initial demand is at the property, the total coin-in on opening day surpassed the largest day that we have ever had at [Louisville’s] Derby City Gaming, a great start,” Carstanjen said. “While the daily volumes have since come down, we have been extremely pleased with the performance, and we are well ahead of our projections.”
The $290 million casino features more than 1,000 slot machines, 50 electronic table games and 30 table games, as well as six live poker games. It will ultimately include six bars, five restaurants, and an event center.
But Churchill Downs officials are expecting to see another boost in activity when the adjacent hotel opens on May 15.
“Since we will be a destination for people from Indianapolis, our 122-room hotel opening in mid-May should propel our performance even more,” Carstanjen said.
When fully complete, the resort is expected to employ some 500 people.
In February, the Louisville-based company said it will invest $100 million to build Owensboro Racing & Gaming in Owensboro, Kentucky. Carstanjen says construction of the facility remains on track with a planned opening in the first quarter of 2025.